6. Political Parties

Question 1

Party organisation - National Committees

Answer 1

The only permanent party structure at the national level are the national committees of each party – the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC)

Each has a chair who is normally elected by the members of that national committee, but by tradition an incumbent president will recommend the chair of their own national committee:
-After the 2016 election, Trump nominated Ronna Romney McDaniel, niece of 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney to be RNC chair
-In February 2017 the DNC elected former secretary of Labor Tom Perez as its new chair in what could be seen as a victory for the Hillary Clinton wing of the party over the Bernie Sanders wing

The national committees raise money, hire staff, and coordinate election strategy for their party’s candidates for local, state, and nation office

When looking at the makeup of the national committees, it becomes clear that the national party is nothing more than the coming together of the state parties - There really is no separate entity known as the national party :
-The DNC is made up of the chair and vice-chair of each 50 state Democratic parties + 200 elected members apportioned by state population, and all DNC members are admitted as super-delegates to the Democratic national convention
-The RNC consists of the chair of each state Republican party + 2 committee members from each state, one man and one woman

Question 2

Party organisation - Congressional leadership and committees

Answer 2

At the national level each party also has its congressional leadership as well as committees to oversee elections to each house of Congress

E.g. the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee

Can be used in policy making and to defy a president of the same party e.g. Obama’s 2009 executive order aimed to close Guantanamo Bay within the year, but Congress passed the Supplemental Appropriations Act 2009 to block funds for transfer or release of detainees, despite a Democrat majority in both Houses

Question 3

Party organisation - state and local party organisation

Answer 3

-Everything else to do with political parties is at the state level where there is an enormous variety of organisation, laws, and customs

-Considerable power is vested in state governors and big city mayors
-There are state party committees, headed by the state party chair, as well as state party conventions
-Below that exist the party committees at congressional district, county, city, ward, and even precinct level

e.g. the Republican Governors Association spend almost $170 million in the 2018 gubernatorial elections showing that they can independently of the national party organisation

Question 4

The Democrats key principles

Answer 4

Progressive attitudes on social and moral issues including crime

Greater governmental intervention in the national economy

Government provision of social welfare

Question 5

The Republicans key principles

Answer 5

Conservative attitude on social and moral issues

More restricted governmental intervention in the national economy while protecting American trade and jobs

Acceptance of social welfare but a preference for personal responsibility

Question 6

Partys view on the death penalty

Answer 6

In 2012 the Democrats did not promised to ensure the legal system was fair and not abolish the system. However, in 2016 they believed in the abolition as it was crueal an inhumane

In 2012 and 2016 the Republicans believed that due to the increasing murder rates they were firm supporters of the death penalty and criticised the Supreme Court’s erosiion of the right of the people to enact capital punishment

Question 7

Partys view on abortion

Answer 7

In 2012 and 2016 Democrats believed that every woman should have access to quality reproductive healthcare services, inclduign safe and legal abortion.

In 2012 and 2016 Republicans believed that the unborn child had fundamental rights that must be protected. Suupported a human life amendment to the Constitution

Question 8

Partys view on gun rights

Answer 8

In 2016 Democrats belived in expanding and strengthening backgroud checks and keeping weapons of war (assult weapons) off the streets and large capacity ammunition maganizes. However, in 2012 they did not mention ammunition magazines

In 2012 and 2016 Republicans believed in law-abiding Americans should be able to carry firearms in all 50 states. They opposed ill-conceived laws that would restrict magazine capacity or ban the sale of the most popular and common modern rifle.

Question 9

Partys similar views on illegal immgration

Answer 9

They both believe in fixing the system and introducing new measures for illegal immigrants with both not supporting high levels of immigration.

In 2012 and 2016 the Democrats belives they needed to create a new path to ctiizenship for law-abiidng families who were in the US

In 2012 and 2016 the Republicans belieived in securing the borders and all ports of entry to enforce immigration laws

Question 10

Partys similar views on the regualtory code

Answer 10

Both parties support simiplifying the regulatory code as well as: looking through books, making rules simpler and clearer for businessess nd getting rid of outdated or duplicaitve regulations.
The Obama adminsitration initiated a ‘look back’ effort requiring different gov departments and agences to scrub their regulatory codes which recieved appaluse from the right-wing

Question 11

Partys similar views on the use of the military

Answer 11

Over 80% of Democrats and 52% of Republicans do not believe military strength is the best way to ensure peace according to a 2014 survey.

However, presidents from both partys have used agressive military force. E.g. In 2016 the US government sanctioned airtstrikes in Syria going in with the UK

In the past executives from both parties used military power e.g. Obama bombing Libya in 2011 and George Bush invading Iraq 2003.

Question 12

Democrat factions - Liberals

Answer 12

On the left of the party and are okay with government intervention if it can help achieve equality in the US.

Influencial - A notable figures is Bernie Sanders who ran against Hilary Clinton in 2016. He advocated for free education, univseral healthcare and increased taxes.

In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (28) cause a poltiical earthquake after defeating the incumbent congressman Joe Crowley in the New York 14th district Primary who descirbied herself as a socialist.

Lacks influence - In 2015, Warrnen led the charge against the Trans-Pacific Trade Deal, calling on other progressive members of the party to rally with her against his deal. While they did not prevent the deal, her actions made headlines and led to numerous news stories assessing the impact of the partnership

Question 13

Democrat factions - Moderates

Answer 13

Sit in the centre of the party Likley to hold liberal values but are willig to compromise on some specifcs.

For example, Dianne Deinstein a senator for California in 2017 opposed the death penalty and supports the environemtn but does not support the government takeover of healthcare.

Question 14

Democrat factions - Conservatives

Answer 14

Members are increasingly uncommon. Socially and morally conservative ut share agrreemtn with the Democrats on fiscal and economic policy.

Influencial - Senator Joe Manchin for West Virginia has advocated for a measure of gun control despite his right-leaning state, but was the ony Democratic vote for Brett Kavanugh to be appoint to SCOTUS in 2018.

Not influencial - One of the reasons there are fewer of these members is the anger they cause among their memebership in a time of partisanship e.g. Manchin was briefly suggested as a cabinet memeber for Trump

Question 15

Republican factions - Moderates

Question 16

Republican factions - fiscal conservatives

Question 17

Republican factions - social conservatives

Question 18

Theories of party decline - candidate selection

Answer 18

The parties have lost control over presidential candidate selection

Whereas in the late 1960s, presidential candidates were selected by party bosses in smoke-filled rooms, now they are chosen largely by ordinary voters in presidential primaries and caucasus, seen beginning in the Democrat party in 1972 after the McGovern-Fraser Report

In 2016 both parties struggled to control their presidential candidate selection process. The Democrats struggled in trying to nominate Hillary Clinton due to the unexpectedly strong opposition of Bernie Sanders. The Republican hierarchy lost complete control with the hostile takeover by Donald trump

Question 19

Theories of party decline - communication with voters

Answer 19

Parties have lost their traditional function as the communicator between politicians and the voters

Politicians who wished to communicate with voters would do so through a party rally and voters would be able to communicate back. Now most politicians communicate mostly through TV and the voters communicate back through opinion polls

Especially seen with the fact that, increasingly, candidates spend and concentrate on new media- it is estimated that together, Trump and Clinton in 2016 spent $80 million on Facebook ads

Question 20

Theories of party decline - emergence of ‘movements’

Answer 20

The emergence of the Tea Party and Occupy movements shows how now Americans are more prone to joining a ‘movement’ than a traditional party These movements then seek to influence the Republican and Democrat parties respectively, Americans therefore seek to influence the parties more from without than from within

The 2016 Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party can be seen as a movement as the hostile takeover was opposed by many within the Republican leadership, such as both ex-presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush

The fact that the Tea Party movement managed to get its preferred candidate chosen for the presidential race in 2016 over the wishes of the Republican Party leadership is another manifestation of the decline of political parties

Question 21

Theories of party renewal - nationalisation of campaigns

Answer 21

Party renewal has been seen in moves towards nationalising electoral campaigns

This was especially true of the Republican Party in the mid-terms in 1994 where nearly all Republican House candidates supported the Republican campaign of a 10-point policy called the Contract with America

The Democrats followed suit in the 2006 midterm elections with their ‘Six for 06’ agenda which was accompanied by their retaking of both houses of Congress

Question 22

Theories of party renewal - increased partisanship in Congress

Answer 22

Due to increased polarisation within US politics, there has been an increased level of voting in Congress that is split down party lines e.g, In 2002 both houses of Congress recorded party unity votes in the low end of 40% and now in both houses of Congress party unity vote are in the high end of 70%

Question 23

Theories of party renewal - the theories of party decline were exaggerated

Answer 23

It is probably the case that the theories of party decline were exaggerated

Parties may be less important than they used to be but they still play a significant role

The death of the Republican Party was reported following the 1974 Watergate affair and Nixon’s resignation, it’s candidate would be back in the White House in just over 6 years

When all is considered, the two major parties still control the White House, Congress, and the all state governorships

Question 24

The factionalised nature of parties - Yes - Caucasus

Answer 24

Significant - Members of the House Freedom Caucus were at the centre of the movement to force House Speaker John Boehner to resign in September 2015 and Paul Ryan announced his willingness to stand to replace Boehner as Speaker only after the Freedom Caucus officially endorsed him in 2015

-The bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus fights for the health of domestic steel industry. On President Trump’s introduction of a 25% tariff on foreign steel in 2018 the chair of the caucus made a statement thanking Trump for listening to them.

Not significant - Caucus can gradually fall out of relevance and usage by members of Congress e.g. The Tea Party Caucus promoting a reduction in the national debt and federal budget cuts essentially became defunct in 2016 due to inactivity

Question 25

The factionalised nature of parties - Yes - Administration

Answer 25

while the President can attempt to persuade Congress they aren’t always successful e.g. In 2011 Obama was frustrated by the slow recovery in the nation’s economy and wanted to go on the record to show his support for a major new stimulus package currently in Congress, The American Jobs Act. The Republican speaker refused Obama to talk no the 7th of Septmeber when the Republicans were announcing their 2012 candidates which had scheldued televised debate

Question 26

The factionalised nature of parties - No - Increased level of partisanship

Answer 26

Due to increased polarisation within US politics, there has been an increased level of voting in Congress that is split down party lines e.g, In 2002 both houses of Congress recorded party unity votes in the low end of 40% and now in both houses of Congress party unity vote are in the high end of 70%

Question 27

Impact of third parties - bringing issues to public attention

Answer 27

Yes - Perot’s campaign as an independent in 1992 on the basis of wanting to reduce the federal budget deficit brought massive attention to the issue leading to it becoming a key election debate and meaning that in the 1996 election both the Democrats and the Republicans agreed to deficit reduction

No - are not allowed to take part in televised debates. The only time a 3rd-party candidate was allowed to participate was in 1992,
Independent candidate Ross Perot and his running-mate, James Stockdale

Question 28

Impact of third parties - splitting the vote/outcome of elections

Answer 28

Yes - In the 2000 election, the Green Party’s presidential candidate Nader got 100,000 votes in Florida. This almost certainly cost Democrat Al Gore the presidency due to his loss in Florida by just 537 votes. This was because the left’s vote had been split meaning the least-preferred candidate was elected, inadvertently showing why people shouldn’t vote for 3rd parties

No - Libertarian Party is the 3rd biggest. They had a 100% ballot access (only party other than the two main parties to have this). Won almost 2 million votes in 2020 presidential election. But, as of the 2022 mid-terms the Libertarians have 0 seats in the Senate, 0 seats in the House, 0 seats in states’ upper chambers, and 1 seats in state’s lower chambers

Question 29

Impact of third parties - show the dissatisfaction with the two-party system

Answer 29

Yes - In 1968 George Wallace’s far-right and pro-segregation campaign won 46 Electoral College votes with 13% of the vote but his votes were concentrated in a small number of southern states.

No - Pose no threat to winning an election as they don’t have enough support. E.g. In 1992 Ross Perot won no Electoral College votes with 19% of the vote. His votes were spread throughout the US.

Question 30

Challenges for third parties - the electoral system

Answer 30

The electoral system is a first-past-the-post, winner-takes-all system. This is used in all elections whether that be presidency, Congress, state or local office. This makes it difficult for third parties to have any success as they need supporters to be concentrated over a small area rather than sparsely populated throughout the whole country

Yes - In 1992 Ross Perot won no Electoral College votes with 19% of the vote as he had dispersed support. Perot’s Reform Party also won 9% of the vote in 1996.

No - In 1968 George Wallace’s far-right and pro-segregation campaign won 46 Electoral College votes with 13% of the vote but his votes were concentrated in a small number of southern states.

Question 31

Challenges for third parties - matching funds

Answer 31

Major-party candidates qualify by raising at least $5,000 in contributions of $250 or less in at least 20 states
Third-party candidates qualify by winning at least 5% of the popular vote in the previous election

Yes - to qualify they have to win 5% of the popular vote but 3rd parties are temporary and often only contest 1 election (Anderson) in 1980. Perot didn’t qualify for matching funds in 1992 when attracting almost ⅕ of the votes

No - In the last 50 years 3 candidates (Wallace, Anderson and Perot) achieved the requirments
Also, Reform Party candidate Patrick Buchanana did qualify in 2000 when he was attracting less than 1/100 of the votes.

Question 32

Challenges for third parties - state ballot access laws

Answer 32

They regulate how third-party candidates can quality to get their name on the ballot and some states are harder than others

Yes - Some states have very high requirements, California requires a number of signatures equal to 1% of the electorate in the state. In 1980 Anderson estimated he had to gather around 1.2 million signatures nationwide to get on the ballot in all 50 states and spent around $3 million to do it

No - Some states have very low requirements Tennessee requires 25 signatures on a petition meaning that 7 3rd-party and independent candidates stood for the Senate in 2012

Question 33

Challenges for third parties - lack media coverage

Answer 33

third party candidates aren’t seen as sufficiently newsworthy, they can rarely afford to produce/air adverts, they are usually barred from presidential debates. Especially important as they are usually less well known that their main party rivals

Yes - In 2016 both Gary Johnson the Libertarian Party nominee and Jill Stein the Green Party nominee were excluded

No - The only time a 3rd-party candidate was allowed to participate was in 1992, Independent candidate Ross Perot and his running-mate, James Stockdale took party

Question 34

Challenges for third parties - allegations of extremism

Answer 34

The two main parties can smear the reputation of 3rd party candidates with allegations of extremism which will have an impact due to their poltical clout

Yes - Republican’s smeared pro-segregationist George Wallace with the slogan “If you liked Hitler, you’ll love Wallace” in 1968

No - Allegations of extremism are only impactful if they are largley accurate so for parties like the Libertarian Party this has not happened and if it did it would be ineffective

Question 35

Challenges for third parties - Co-optation of policies by the 2 major parties

Answer 35

Yes - Yes - Perot’s campaign as an independent in 1992 on the basis of wanting to reduce the federal budget deficit brought lead to this flagship policy being co-opted by the the two main parties meaning that in the 1996 election both the Democrats and the Republicans agreed to deficit reduction
By 2000 the federal budget was in surplus and the Reform Party’s vote had fallen from 19% in 1992 to 0.4% in 2000

No - 3rd parties actually use the two major party’s policies to create their own e.g. John. B Anderson in 1980 countered Reagan’s proposal to cut taxes broadly, which he feared would increase the national debt and the inflation rate